Fog-light



R. C. GRADY.

FOG.L|GHT.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 24. 1920.

1,362,693, Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

7% madman AITOR/VEYS ,ITED

ren't RONAN CALISTUS GRADY, OF EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOG -LIGHT.

Application filed February 24, 1920.

of Boston and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fog-Lights, of which the following is a specification,

My invention is an improvement in fog lights, and has for its object to provide a light primarily designed for marine use, and when the visibility is low, as for instance during a fog or on a dark night, when the navigational lights cannot be seen,

wherein the light is so arranged that a powerful ray may be sent downwardly through the water at a slight angle, to be reflected from the bottom, to cause the reflected rays to be visible at the side of the ship when' the water is shallow.

In the draw1ngs: Figure 1 15 a dlagrammatlc view showing the arrangement of the light and the manner of its use,

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the light,

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section at the level of the lens,

Fig. at is a similar view at the level of the arc.

The present invention is designedto provide a light which may be used wlth vessels, to indicate especially shallow water, by the reflection of the light from the bottom, the light being so arranged that the rays will be directed through the Water toward the bottom. With this object in view, I provide a casing consisting of an upper section 1 of substantially cylindrical form, an intermediate section 2 and a lower section 3, the sections having radial flanges 4 which are connected together by bolts 5 as shown.

A head 6 is secured to the outer flange 4 ot' the section 1, and the outer flange 4 of the section 3 is designed to be secured to the bottom of the vessels 7 by means of bolts 8, the said section 3 being arranged at an opening 9 in the hull. Between the flanges of the sections 1 and 2, there 1s arranged a ring 10, which carries a lens 11 and above the lens there is arranged an arc light in the section 1.

This arc light consists of a pencil 12 which is held by an insulating sleeve 13 in the wall of the section 1, and a pencil 14 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 21, 1920.

Serial No. 360,719.

which is mounted in a bearing bracket 15 on the wall at the opposite side of the section. The section 1 has an opening at the pencil 14, which is covered by a plate 16 held in place by screws 17 and the pencil has a regulating knob 18 at the opening, which is accessible when the plate is removed.

Lead wires 19 supply current for the arc. A reflector 20 is connected with the head 6, the reflector as shown having an axial stem which has a reduced threaded portion engaging a threaded opening in the head.

The section 2 of the casing has an enlargement 21 which forms a valve casing. Within this casing there is arranged a gate or valve, by means of which communication between the upper part of the section and the lower part may be closed when the light is not in use. This gate or valve is closed by a threaded stem 22 having a hand wheel as shown.

In the operation of the device, when for any reason the visibility is so low that navigation is difficult or dangerous, because of shallow water and the like, the gate will be opened, the are light will be turned on, and a powerful beam will be reflected through the lens 11 downwardly and slightly outwardly as shown.

If there is shallow water, the rays will be reflected upwardly and outwardly as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 1, and these reflected rays will be visible to those interested. The depth of the water may be established in this manner, and because of the fact that the reflected rays are so close to the vessel, the low visibility will not interfere with the proper seeing of the same.

l/Vhen not in use, the gate is closed to protect the parts from the water, and it may be closed to permit the light to be overhauled. Theclens prevents the water from entering the arc chamber. The distance from the ship at which the reflected rays is seen, the angle of incidence being known, will permit a reasonably close establishment of the depth to be made. WVhen the reflected rays draw nearly to the ship, it will be a warning that the water is shoaling, and that soundings should be taken. By watching the reflected rays, the shoaling and deepening of the water may be seen, regardless of the conditions of visibility.

I claim 1. A device of the character specified,

adapted to be arranged at an opening in the hull of the vessel below the water line,

and comprising a casing having means for connecting it to the hull at the opening, that end of the casing adjacent to the opening being open, a lens supported transversely of the casingintermedia'te its ends'and forming a water tight closure, a source of illumination arranged between the lens and the upper end of the casing, a reflector above the source, and means for forming a watertight closure transversely of the casing between the lens and the open end, said means comprising a gate moving transversely of the casing, and means for controlling the gate.

2. A device of the character specified,

adapted to be arranged at an opening in the hull of the vessel below the water line and comprising a casing having means for connecting it to the hull at the opening, that end of the casing adjacent to the opening being open,' a lens supported transversely of the casing intermediate its ends and -forming-a water-tight closure, a source of illumination arranged between the lens and the upper end of the casing, the source of illumination comprising an are light having an electrode fixedly supported by the casing wall, and an electrode movably supported by the wall at the opposite side and movable toward and from the first electrode, the casing having an opening at the last named electrode and a cover plate for the same.

3. A device of theYch'aracter specified, adapted to be arranged at an opening in the hull of a vessel below the water line,

casing, and a gate movable transversely of the casing between the lens and the open end, and forming a water-tight closure when closed.

4. A device 01 the character specified, adapted to be arranged at an opening'in the hull of a vessel below the water line, and comprising a casing having means for connecting it to the hull at the opening, that end of the casing adjacent to the hull being open and the other end being closed, a lens supported transversely of the casing intermediate the ends thereof and forming a watertight closure, a source of illumination between the lens and the closed end of the casing, and means movable transversely of the casing between the lens and the open end for forming a water-tight closure.

RONAN CALISTUS GRADY. 

